Automatic record changing phonograph



- lY/T/VESS.

p 28,1937. G. A. WHITE 2;094,25o

AUTOMATIC RECORD CHANGING PHONOGRAPH Original Filed June 20, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 nvrwrwf 6207; M1216 Sept. 28, 1937. cs. A. WHITE AUTOMATIC RECORD CHANGING PHONOGHAPH Original Filed June 20, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept. 28, 1937. G. A. WHITE 2,094,250

' AUTOMATIC RECORD CHANGING PHONOGRAPH Original Filed June 20,1950 5 Sheets-Sheet s dummy] w/r/v' fgagf Gr er-7e W Y 5 f mm Sept. 28, 1937. G, A, wHlTE 2,094,250

AUTOMATIC RECORD CHANGING PHONOGRAPH Original Filed June 20, 1930 5 Sheets-Shee t 4 j J84 9 5 o 7 l /88 12 4 Q a v 1.

Mrs/ 0,

Sept. 28, 1937. I 3, WHITE 2,094,250

AUTOMATIC RECORD CHANGING PHONOGRAPH Original Filed June 20, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 /94 96 2/4 4 7 7'0 u v 5' i 7 3/6 I m W/r/wsss wi y 25 therein.

Patented ept. 28, 1937 r 2,094,250

AUTOMATIC RECORD CHANGWG PHQNW- GRAPH George A. White, Philadelphia, Pa, assignor, by mesne assignments, to lirloyd H. Smith, New York, N. Y.

Application Jane 20, 19%, Serial Nth M23156 Renewed January 311, 11935 13 Claims. (El. 2'M-Ml) This invention relates to a phonograph and readily changed, a novel clutch for throwing particularlyaphonograph embodying mechanism into operation the automatic record changing for automatically changing records. mechanism and the provision of a switch adapt- Heretofore various types of record changing ed to be set into operation as the tone arm ap- 5 phonographs have been produced. These phonoproach'es the end of the record. 5 graphs, however, are quite expensive and com- 7 Other objects of the invention relating parplicated and are adapted to handle only perfect ticularly to details of construction will be aprecords, since the record handling devices are of parent from the following description read in a positive nature and will break those records conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in

which deviate even slightly from standard diwhich: 10 mensions. As is well known, the compositions Fig. l is a plan view of the mechanism of the from which records are made are liable to deforimproved phonograph;

, mation and Warping and it is also impossible to Fig. 2 is a view more or less diagrammatic ilmold these compositions to a very high degree lustrating the mounting of the mechanism in a of accuracy. Furthermore the various makers suitable cabinet therefor; f. 15 of records do not make them of standard dimen-' Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken substantially sions although they do approximate standard on the plane indicated by the line a -3 of Fig. 1; dimensions. As a result, the automatic phono- Fig. 4 is a vertical section of the mechanism graphs which have been heretofore made break taken substantially on the plane indicated by a large number of the records which they are the line 4-4 of Fig. l, certain other parts being 20 handling. Since the mechanisms of such phonoshown in section; I graphs are frequently exposed, they are very 5 is a P View illustrating details of e often jammed or rendered inoperative by the I tone arm and its mounting; broken pieces of the records which may fall Fig. 6 is a front elevation of the' subject of Fig.

' 1 It is the broad object of the present invention Fig. 7 is a front elevation of a switch mechto provide an automatic phonograph which avoids anism; the various objections noted above, being simple Fig. 8 is a bottom plan view of the same; in construction, and accordingly inexpensive, and Fig. 9 is a front elevation illustrating the auautomatic, taking care of various records aptomatic means for taking care of records of dif- 30 proximating standard size even though they may e e Si es. this means being Omitted from the vary in exact size due to variations in manufacother views for the sake of clearness; ture, or warping. Figflll is a diagrammatic sectional view illus- More specifically it is the broad object of the trating the Controlling me a s associate present invention to provide a phonograph from with the mechanism of'Fig. 9; 7 35 which the record to be removed is merely re- Fig. 11 is a sectional view illustrating a modileased and permitted to discharge under the fled d ta l o t e mechanism; 7 action of gravity and rotation, or at any rate, Fig. 12 is a wiring diagram of themechanism;

by some means which will operate independently and 40 of the dimensions of the record. Figs. 13, 14, and 15 are digrammatic sectional 40 A further object is the provision of a phonoviews showing the operation of the mechanism in graph mechanism which will'handle records of discharging?! fl varying standard sizes, for example, a mixture, The mechanism, of which a preferred'form is of ten and twelve inch records. In the preferred illustrated. comprises a frame 2 consisting priform of the invention, the machine takes care marily of a top plate and associated brackets 45 of the various records automatically. adapted to support the various parts of the mech- A further object ofthe invention. relates to anism.- The frame forms a unit which is adapted the provision of a repeat mechanism whereby a to be inserted in -a suitable cabinet, as will be change of records may be avoided at the will later described. The phonograph mechanism 5 of the operator. It is also possible to cause the forming the subject of the present invention is present mechanism to operate in a non-automatic particularly adapted for use in connection with manner. an electrical amplifying system which may, in Other objects of the invention relating parsome instances, comprise the audio amplification ticularly to details include the provision of 9, stages of a radio set contained in the same cabpick-up element in which the needles may be inet with the phonograph, or in a. separate cab- 5 inet. The records which are to be played are supported upon a suitable turntable 4 provided with the usual friction surface to insure rotation of the records during playing. This turntable is mounted in a manner which will be hereafter more fully described. The needle 6, adapted to follow a groove in a record being played, is carried by the pick-up or reproducer 8 illustrated as of the electrical variety from which suitable electrical connections extend to the amplifying sys tern. The pick-up 8 is carried at the end of the but may be readily turned through a right angle so that the needle will be pointing toward the front of the machine and be readily accessible to the operator for changing. The pick-up is held in this position also by friction.

The arm I0 is connected at its rear end with a downwardly extending tubular member it which is pivoted on a transverse rod it carried by an annular ring 20 mounted in ball hearings in a housing 22 formed in the frame. (See Fig. 4.) By reason of this mounting, it will be obvious that the pick-up has both vertical and. horizontal components of motion so that it may move in a vertical direction to move the needle into or out of engagement with a record and may also traverse the record as is necessary during playing. The construction of the bearing for the arm is such that the downward movement of the pick-up unit is limited so that the needle may drop only a short distance below the level of a topmost record and so that when the pick-up unit normal sloping position of the mechanism so that it is necessary to provide other means for urging the pick-up needle into suitable engagement with the record. This means is illustrated in Fig. 5 and comprises a lever 28 pivoted to the frame, as indicated at 30, and urged by a spring 32 into engagement with the tubular member "5 below its pivot. This arrangement is preferable I to the use of an unbalanced tone arm assembly, since there is no tendency for the pick-up to ride inwardly or outwardly over the record and thus possibly jump between adjacent grooves. An arm 26 extends from the bottom of the tubular member l6 to be engaged by suitable mechanism for restoring the tone arm to initial position relative to a record.

To drive themechanism there is provided a motor 34 which is preferably of an induction type where the phonograph is of the electrical variety, since there is thereby avoided any sparking which may produce audible noises when amplified by the amplifying system. This motor 34 is provided with the usual governing means, illustrated at 36, adjustable through the member 38 extending above the top plate of the frame. adjustment of this member 38, the speed of the motor may be varied. v

The motor carries a worm meshing with the worm-wheel 4B, which is yieldingly urged upwardly/as viewed in Fig. 3, by a spring 42 to suitable ball bearing 5!] carried by the frame,

which, together with the ball step bearing 52 on which the shaft 46 rests, serves to support the turntable and the other parts associated with the shaft. The sleeve 48 is slidable vertically relative to the shaft 45, being splined thereto by a suitable pin and slot connection so as to rotate in all positions of adjustment with the shaft. Carried vertically with the sleeve and mounted in suitable ball bearings therein so that it may remain stationary while the sleeve is rotating, is a locking disc 54 having a sharp periphery engageable with the ratchet teeth 51 carried by a member 56. It will be noted that the teeth 57 point downwardly so that when the teeth are yieldingly pressed into engagement with the disc 54, the disc 56 may be pressed freely outwardly but will be prevented from rising. The teeth 51 are quite small so that the disc 54 may be arrested in substantially any position which it may assume.

A spring 58 reacts between the sleeve 48 and the collar Mi to normally urge the turntable 3 to the uppermost positiom determined by the splined connection between the sleeve and the shaft, which position is substantially as illustrated in Fig. 3. in its lowermost position for loading purposes, the upper end of the sleeve is provided with an annular slot, indicated at 68, engageable by the hook end 52 of the lever 63 which at its opposite end is provided with a pin 64 which may be manually engaged by the operator.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 3, there is provided an upstanding bracket 66 to which is pivoted at 68 a lever 10 urged in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 3, by spring 12 to bring the cam follower roller 14, which it carries, into engagement with suitable cams formed on the face of a'cam disc 16. At its upper end the lever 10 is provided with a bracket 18 adapted to receive the record arm which may be engaged fixedly therein by a thumb screw 82 so as, in effect, to form an integral part of the lever 10 during operation of the machine. When loading records into the machine, the thumb screw 82 may be withdrawn from the arm 80 so that the arm may be moved upwardly about 68 as pivot. A retaining disc 84 is mounted in suitable ball bearings in the free end of the arm 80. While the arm M is normally constrained by the spring 12 to follow the movements imparted thereto by the cam surfaces on the disc 16, a member 86 is provided to engage the arm 10 to retain it in a retracted position against the tension of spring 12. The member is adapted to be manually moved into or out of engagement with the arm 10 by a knurled knob 88. As will be pointed out hereafter, this device permits repeating of a record.

As illustrated in Fig. 3, the shaft 46 has fixed thereto a collar 90 provided with upwardly extending slots adapted to receive teeth on the clutch member 92 which is vertically movable relative to the shaft to bring downwardly extending teeth carried thereby into engagement with up- In order to hold turntable (l.

wardly extending teeth carried by the worm 94 which is journalled freely on the shaft and meshes with a worm-wheel 96 carried by a cross shaft 98. The clutch element 02 is moved upwardly or downwardly to respectively disengage it from or engage it with the worm 94 by a lever I00 provided with a forked end carrying pins engageable within an annular groove in member 92.

The lever I00, which is pivoted to the frame at ii, is normally urged in a counterclockwise direction by a spring I02, the tension of which is adjustable. It is moved in opposition to the spring I02 to effect rotation of the worm M with the shaft 66 by a spring connection E04 with a plunger I06 forming the armature of the coil We. The purpose of the spring connection 504 rather than a non-yielding connection of the plunger with the lever I00, is to prevent chattering when,

- the solenoid I00 is energized by alternating current.

On the end of cross shaft @0 is secured a sprocket wheel M0 about which is trained a chain H2 engaging a sprocket wheel Mt carried by a cam shaft Mt. A stub shaft I20 parallel with the shaft II 6 is rotated in timed relationship therewith through the medium of the connecting shaft i I8 and suitable pairs of bevel gears. The shafts H6 and I20 carry similarly angularly disposed arms I22 to which is pivoted a connecting link I2 1 which, by reason of its connection, always remains parallel with the plane of the shafts M6 and I20. The link EN carries a pawl E26 of the type illustrated in Fig. 4 and which is normally urged in a counterclockwise direction against a limiting stop by a spring I28, its normal position being as shown-in Fig. 4. 0

During operation of the machine at the time when the tone arm is being moved back to the start of the groove of a new record, the link 824 is moved by the rotation of the arms I22 so that it first engages the arm 26, lifting it upwardly to disengage the needle 6 from the previously played record, which is thereafter discharged. As the circular movement of link [I24 proceeds, the pawl I26 engages the arm 26 serving to move the pick-up to the outermost portion of the new record, its movement in this direction being limited by a suitable stop I30. As soon as the arm 26 engages this stop, the pawl I26 yields and slides thereunder. Thereafter the link I24 moves downwardly in'its cycle of movement, permitting the needle 6 to engage the-beginning of the groove in the: new record. For the sake of simplicityin the mechanism illustrated, there has been shown a manually adjustable limiting means for determining the extreme outward position of the pick-up. The means consists of the pin I30 carried by the knurled member I32 manually operable above the top plate of the frame so that the pin may be moved to either of two alternative positions, whereby the pick-up unit will, be stopped in the position for cooperation with the beginning of the groove of either of two different standard size records, for example, either a ten inch record or a twelve inch record. A spring I34 cooperates to yieldingly'holdthe pin I30. in either of its-limiting positions and' is arranged so as to pass from one side to the other of the center of rotation of the member I32 as it moves between the two limiting positions.

In order to prevent the tone arm from sliding inwardly from the edge of a record so rapidly as to possibly jump the initial grooves, anarm I36, pivoted to the frame and yieldingly held upward by a. spring I38 against a suitable stop, is provided with a friction pad I40 arranged to lightly engage the arm 26 carried by the tone arm.

The cam I6 carried by the shaft M6 is provided with three sets of operating cam surfaces. It is provided on one face, namely, the left-hand as viewed in Fig. 1, with an outwardly facing series of cam surfaces M2, Md, and M6, the first being the highest and extending through approximately 280", the second being of intermediate height and extending approximately 30, and the remaining cam surface constituting the face of the disc and extending through approximately 50". Accordingly, during normal action the roller M and accordingly the record retaining disc M may occupy three difierent positions, the purpose of which will be hereafter pointed out.

The periphery of the cam disc also provides a cam surface it, a. portion of which is grooved, as indicated at I350. The surface M8 and the groove net are eng ged by a pin #52 n rmally urged by a spring we thereagainst and provided at its outer end with a conductive portion 56 insulated from its major portion and engageable simultaneously with spaced contacts W8 so as to close a circuit the terminals of which are connected to the two' contacts. When the pin H2 is engaged within the groove B50, the contact is broken and when the pin is engaged with the periphery of the disc the contact is made.

On the right-hand side of the cam disc '56, as illustrated in Fig. 3, is a cam .560 having an extent of approximately 95 and arranged to engage the end of a plunger I62 slidably mounted in the frame and telescoped with a second plunger i6 5 also mounted in the frame and carrying the detent element 56. A spring I00 normally urges the two plungers apart while a spring 668 reacts between the portion of the frame and a collar on the plunger I 02 to engage it with the cam I66. By reasonof this construction, as the cam Hi9 engages the plunger I02 and moves it 'to the right,

the detent element 50 is yieldingly moved into engagement with the disc 5'5 whereby the teeth 51 are engaged with the sharp edge of the disc.

Although the spring I 60 urges the two'plungers apart, it will be noted that a screw' on the end of the plunger I64 is provided with an outwardly extending head engaging a shoulder within the end of an arm I'II pivoted to a supporting plate carried by the frame. A spring I12 connected to the pin "0 and to a fixed member urges the lever normally to the position illustrated in Fig. 8. The vlever I'II carries a. spring pressed pawl I" which in the position shown in Figs. 7 and 8 rests upon a fixed guard member I16 which prevents the pawl in its fully retracted position from engaging the teeth I18 of' a segmental plate I carrying a switch element It provided with contact prongs I82 and I84, the former of which constantly engages a conductive segment I 86 and the other of which is adapted to engage a conducting element I88, both carried by insulating material. In-the position illustrated, the arm III engages a pin I92 carriedby the segmental plate I80 whereby the plate is drawn to a position in contact with a stop pin I90 carried by the supporting plate.

The pin I10 is located in position to be engaged by the arm 26 carried by the tone arm so as to be moved thereby in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 8, as the needle approaches the end of the groove in the record. As the needle approaches the end of the groove, the arm III is moved away from the stop pin I92 and the pawl I14'slides off the end of the guard plate I16 and engages the teeth I18 formed at the edge of the segment. If the record is of a type having a groove extending to a considerable distance inwardly, in order to cause operation of the usual automatic stops, the engagement of the pawl I14 with one of the teeth I18 will move the segment to the right until element I84 engages I88 and closes a circuit one terminal of which is connected to element I88 and the other terminal of which'is connected to the element I88. If, on the other hand, the record is of the type having an eccentric groove at the end of the spiral groove, the arm I1I will have imparted thereto by the oscillations of the tone arm an oscillating movement which will, through the medium of the pawl, move the segment step by step in a clockwise direction until closure of the switch takes place. The oscillating movement imparted to the arm I1I is of such short range that stop pin I92 will not be engaged and accordingly the movement of the segment will be unidirectional.

When the tone arm is moved outwardly to bring the needle into the beginning of the groove of another record in the manner which will be later described, the arm 26 moves away from the pin I10 and permits it to move under the action of spring I12 in acounterclockwise direction, whereupon it first engages stop pin I92 and carries the segment with itso as to break the contact be tween I85 and I88 and thereafter brings the segment into engagement with stop I90.

Referring now to Fig. 1, which illustrates the visible portion of the machine when in use, it will be seen that there are provided two manually operable switches I94 and I96, the former being closed to start the mechanism and opened to stop it and the latter being closed to effect automatic operation and opened to eiTect non-automatic operation in the manner which will be later described. Also mounted above the top plate is a volume adjusting knob I98 which is arranged to control the audio amplifying system in the usual fashion as, for example, by producing a variation of a potentiometer.

Reference to Fig. 2 will illustrate the relationship of the mechanism to the cabinet which houses it. The cabinet, besides housing the phonograph mechanism, may house a radio set the audio amplifying stages of which may be used for amplifying the radio signals as well as the signals from the pick-up unit. In other cases the cabinet may be of quite small size, serving only to form a housing for a phonograph mechanism, the output from the pick-up unit being adapted to be fed into the audio amplifying system of a separate radio set. Alternatively an audio amplifying system designed for the phonograph alone may be incorporated within the cabinet. The cabinet which is illustrated at 200 is provided with a sloping surface 202, in which the phonograph unit is mounted, the top plate thereof being substantially flush with this surface. The mounting is such that the plane of the top of the turntable forms an angle with the horizontal such that records may slide from the turntable upon a sloping receiving surface 204 formed in the cabinet, soft shock absorbing material 206 being provided to break the force of imrecords being played on the turntable.

aooaaec pact of the record with the side of the cabinet. The arrangement is such that the tone arm II! will normally hang downwardly when about midway of its range of movement. In other words, the left-hand edge of the plate illustrated in Fig.

, 1 will be uppermost The angle atwhich the turntable is set may vary within wide limits but is, of course, necessarily such that a record will slide from the top of a stack of records while the stack is rotating, the sliding movement being preferably as slow as possible so as to eliminate any possibility of chipping the edges of the record. As will be described hereafter, it will be noted that the records which are to be discharged from the stack pass from the top thereof and rest upon any records previously located on surface 204.

By reason of the fact that the'tone arm I0 is counterbalanced by the weight 24, it has no substantial tendency to assume any definite position by reason of the sloping condition of the mecha nism. The lever 28 insures constant and adequate pressure of the needle within the groove without causing theneedle to rotate inwardly or outwardly of the record so that it is free to follow the groove without having any tendency to jump between the adjacent convolutions of the groove. Any oscillatory movement imparted by an irregularity in the record is further damped out by reason of the provision of the pad Mil.

There has been above described a manual adjustment for producing a proper cooperation of the needle with the beginnings of the grooves of different sized records. In Figs. 9 and 10 there is illustrated a mechanism for automatically effecting proper position of the needle with respect to an uppermost record in a stack which may contain, instead of records all of the same sizes, intermixed records of difierent sizes. The mechanism illustrated in these figures is adapted to be applied to the. mechanisms identically as shown in Figs. 3 and 4 with the exception that the manually adjusted pin I 30 and its associated elements would be removed and the mechanisms of Figs. 9

and 10 substituted. These automatic mechanisms were omitted from Figs. 3 and 4 for the sake of clearness.

Referring first to Fig. 9, there is illustrated an arm 2 III pivoted to the bracketGG which supports the pivot 68. This arm 2| 0 carries at its outer end a feeler 2I2 which may be in the form of a polished knob or a wheel, or the like, adapted to engage the upper surface of an uppermost record adjacent its periphery. The arm 2H1 carries a contact 2I4 arranged to engage a contact 2I6 fixedly carried by the bracket 56, both of the contacts being insulated from their supporting members. A link'2I5 pivoted to the arm 80 is. provided with a hook end embracing a pin 2I9 fixed to the arm 2). By reason of this arrangement, lifting of the arm 80 for the purpose of stacking records upon thev turntable serves automatically to lift the arm 2 I0 so that it is not in the way of During operation of the machine the hook is in such position as not to affect upward or downward movement of the arm 2").

The feeler 2I2 is so located that if a small sized record isuppermost, it will not engage the edge thereof and accordingly the arm 2I0 will be free to drop, closing the contact between 2M and 2I6. On the other hand, if a large sized record is uppermost on the turntable, the feeler 2I2 will engage its top surface and be held in raised position so that the contact at 2I4--2I6 is broken. The arrangement is, of course, such that the feeler will cooperate with the top record only and will not, for example, engage the periphery of a larger record located beneath an uppermost smaller record.

A pin 224 is fixed to the machine and is located in a position corresponding with theoutermost adjusted position which in the manual arrangement would be occupied by the pin I 30. Located with its axis in alignment with the inner adjusted position which would be assumed by the pin I30 is a solenoid 2H provided with a plunger 2I0 normally urged outwardly by a spring 220'and carrying an upwardly extending pin 222, both the pins 222 and 224 being located in the path of movement of the arm 26 and in positions, as has been stated, corresponding to the two adjusted positions of the pin H0 in the manually adjustable modification. If a small size record is located uppermost on the turntable, the contact will be made between 214 and 2I6, closing a circuit through the solenoid 2 I l and thereby causing the plunger 218 to assume its uppermost position in the path of the arm 26 so that the arm will be stopped and the needle lowered into contact with the outermost convolution of the groove of the small record. 0n the other hand, if a large record is uppermost, contact will not be made between 2 I4 and 210 and the solenoid will remain deenergized with the pin 222 in lower position out of the path of the arm 26, which will be stopped by the pin 226 so that theneedle will be dropped into the outer end of the groove of the large record.

The wiring diagram of the machine is illustrated in Fig. 12; in which it will be seen that the switch I94 controls the circuit to the motor 34 as well as the other electric elements of the mechanism, while the switch I96 controls the, automatic mechanism. The circuit, including the contacts -2I-4 and 2N5 and the solenoid 2H, is illustrated in dotted lines. This circuit is, of course, omitted when a manual adjustment is used. It will be noted that the switches I56 and II are in parallel so that closure of either will energize the solenoid L08. 7

Referring now to Fig. 11, there is illustrated therein a. modified arrangement of details wherehy'the switch I52 may be eliminated and prolonged excitation of the solenoid I08 avoided. In this arrangement the shaft 90 carries a cam 230 provided with a depression 232 in its periphery.

contact with the cam by a spring 236 and arranged so that its path of movement intersects the path of movement of thelever I 00. If the lever I00 is initially raised by energization of solenoid I08 above the path of the plunger 234, the shaft 98 will be rotated by engagement of the clutch members 92 and 94. When this rotation takes place, the cam 230 will force the plunger below the lever I00 so that even though the solenoid is thereafter deenergized the plunger will prevent downward movement of the lever and will thereby maintain the clutch engaged. As soon as the shaft 98 finishes a complete revolution, the plunger will ride into the depression 232, thereby permitting the lever I00 to drop and disengage the clutch.

The operation of the phonograph will now be Prior to loading, the switch described in detail. I94 will, of course, be open and accordingly all of the electrical elements will be deenergized. The turntable 4 will be depressed to its lowermost position and latched there by engagement of arm 02 with slot 60. The arm will be raised to an upper position, being liberated from arm I0 by freeing screw 82, and will be held in such position by friction at the pivot 60. If themechanism illustrated in Fig. 9 is' incorporated in the machine, this will also be moved, upon raising arm 00, to an inoperative position where it will not interfere with the loading of the turntable. The tone arm IIl'will be in its outermost position :with the pick-up 0 turned through a right angle so as to be spaced from the topmost record which may be placed on the table. The cam following roller I4 and pin I52 will engage cam surface I42 and slot I 50 in the positions substantially as illustrated in Fig. 4. By reason of the position of the tone arm, the switch IN is also open at this time.

The desired number of records may now be placed in the turntable, the arm 80 lowered until the disc 04 occupies the normal position illustrated in Fig. 13 and then clamped by tightening screw 82, and the latchlever 63 released whereupon spring 58 will raise the table until the topmost record engages the disc 04, the stack of records being thereby clamped between the disc 84 and the turntable as shown in Fig. 13. The pick-up needle is then set at the beginning of the groove of the record. If the mechanism illustrated in Figs. 3' and 4 is used, not having the automatic arrangement for stopping the arm, the stop pin I30 is set to agree with the second record from the top. If all the records in the stack are of the same size it will be unnecessary to change this setting throughout the playing of the entire series. 7

Assuming first that automatic action is desired, both switches WI and I90 may now be closed, detent 06 being, of course, in retracted position. The topmost record will then be played,

the pick-up travelling inwardly as the needle follows the groove. Any excessive movement of the tone arm at the beginning of the record is clamped by reason of the provision of friction pad I40, whereby any tendency for the needle to jump across the grooves is restrained. During this playing of the record, the clutch 92 remains disengaged so that no motion is imparted to shaft 98.

The next event in the cycle of operation occurs at the end of the record. If the record is of the type provided with a continuous eccentric groove at the end of its spiral, the arm 26 will engage pin I10 carried by the pawl arm I II and cause it to oscillate with the result that pawl I14 will impart a step by step clockwise movement (as .viewed in Fig. 8) to switch. segment I00 until switch I8I is closed. This oscillatory movement of arm 'I'Il takes place-through a range such that the arm I'II does not engage pin I92 during its oscillations so that the movement of the segment is unidirectional as described. If the rec-'- ord is of the type having a continuation of the spiral groove'extending far inwardly towardsthe center, the movement of the segment to close the switch will take place in a single continuous movement.

Upon closure of switch I8I the operations involving a change of records commence. First, the solenoid I08 is energized, lifting plunger I06 and engaging'clutch member-92 with 94 and thereby starting rotation of shaft 98 and cam disc 16. As the cam rotates pin I52 rides out of groove I50 and upon the'periphery of the disc whereupon switch member I56 bridges contacts I50v closing the circuit through the solenoid in dependently of switch I8I. I 9

Shortly after the closure of I56, the link I24 reaches a position engaging and lifting the arm 26 thereby raising the needle 6 from the record. Continued movement of link I24 moves the tone arm in its raised position outwardly, movement A being insured by engagement of lever 26 by the Qment, the needle drops into the beginning of the spring helddetent I26.

As soon as the needle is raised from the topmost record, the roller I4 rides upon the portion I44 of the cam whereupon the lever I0 and the arm 80 rock as a unit under the action of spring I2- raising the disc 84 so that the stack of records is raised by table 4 under the action of spring 58 until the position illustrated in Fig. 14 is attained, wherein the topmost record is clear of the upper end of shaft 46 which is located somewhere between the faces of the second record. The clamping action on the stack prevents the topmost record from sliding off at this time.

The plunger I62 now rides upon cam I60 whereby it is moved to the right, as shown in Fig. 3, yieldingly engaging member 56 with disc 54 so that further upward movement of the turntable will be prevented by teeth 51, or at any rate only such very slight movement may occur as will cause the disc to interlock under one of the teeth.

The roller l4 now rides further inwardly upon cam surface I46 whereupon disc 84 is further raised. Since the turntable can no longer move upwardly, the top record will slide off the stack upon any records which may be located on the receiving surface 204, being clear of both the spindle and the disc, and free to slide off the table due to gravity and rotation. This occurrence is illustrated in Fig. 15. The second record is prevented from sliding off by reason of the holding action of the upper end of the shaft.

The roller I4 now rides upon surface I42 caussing disc 64 to be again brought close to the end of shaft 46, forcing downwardly the stack of discs into the position illustrated in Fig. 13, the disc 54 riding downwardly over the teeth 51 which yield against the action of spring I66. The plunger I62 then rides off the cam I60 whereupon the plungers I62 and I64 move as a unit releasing disc 54 from teeth 51, so that the turntable may exert its normal upward pressure clamping the stack of records against disc 84.

During the above mentioned operations the tone arm will be moving towards the left as viewed in Fig. 4 under the action of link I24 and detent I26.

The pin I10 and arm III will follow it to the left during this action under the influence of spring N2, the arm III first engaging pin I92 and thereby moving the segment I80 to open switch IBI. The movement ceases with the parts in the position illustrated in Fig. 8 when the segment engages stop pin I90. The solenoid I08 remains energized through switch I56.

As the movement of the tone arm continues, the arm 26 engages the pin I30 in its adjusted position and is stopped thereby. The link I24 continues to move and the detent I26 yields against the action of spring I28. As the link I24 now has a downward component of movegroove of the now uppermost record which is then played.

After the needle engages the record, the cam disc I6 will have completed one revolution and pin I52 drops into slo-t I50 opening the solenoid circuit and effecting a disengagement of clutch members 92 and 94 whereupon rotation of shaft 75 j 98 ceases with the parts inth'eir original positions.

The arrangement in the present machine is preferably such that the last record of a stack will not be discharged and accordingly the playing of the last record will repeat indefinitely until the machine is manually turned off. This result is-produced by so arranging the table that at its upward limit of movement the surface of the table 4 will be below the upper end of the pin 46 and accordingly, even though the disc 84 rises in the usual fashion to permit the discharge of a record, the last record will remain thereon, the tone arm being reset so as to repeat the playing thereof. However, even if the machine were arranged to discharge the last record, no harm would be done and the needle would not cut or destroy the friction surface on the top of the turntable, since the turntable is of less diameter than a record and after the playing of the last record the tone arm would be set down outside the periphery of the turntable, which would thereafter idly revolve. Since the tone arm would never move in toward the center the changing mechanism will remain inoperative.

It is to be noted that during the cycle of operations as just described, the turntable is continuously rotating, not only thereby insuring removal of the played record but also, along with the records carried by it, acting as a flywheel tending to relieve the motor of the increased load imposed at various moments during the changing operations.

While the machine may be stopped at any time to change records, the rejection of any record may be readily automatically effected by lifting the tone arm and setting it down at the end of the groove.

If, while maintaining both switches I 94 and I96 closed, the latch 86 is adjusted to hold the arm E0 to the left as viewed in Fig. 3 so that the follower I4 cannot move inwardly under the action of spring I2 to follow cam surfaces I44 and I46, it will be impossible for disc 84 to move upwardly to release the top record, while at the same time the tone arm will move as described above after the completion of the playing of the record. Accordingly the mechanism will operate automatically to repeat the same record.

If switch I94 is closed and switch I96 left open, the machine will act as an ordinary phonograph playing one record and continuing to operate with the needle moving in the inner end of the groove. Obviously, if desired an automatic stop arrangement of usualform may be provided to take care of such operation.

If instead of the manual adjustment to take care of different sizes of records, the automatic means shown in Figs. 9 and 10 are used, the operation is in general the same as described above except for the stopping of the outward movement of the tone arm.

The feeler 2I2 becomes operative at the time when the disc 84 returns to its normal position adjacent the end of shaft 46. If there is a record of small size uppermost, the arm 2I0 is free to drop to its.lowermost position causing contacts 2 I4 and 2I6 to engage and thereby energize solenoid 2I6 raising plunger 2! and pin 222 into the path of arm 26 with the result that the needle is set down upon the record in the proper position to engage the beginning of the groove.

If on the other hand a large size record is uppermost, contact will not be made at 2I42I6 since the feeler 2I2 engages the top of. the record at its will be properly positioned to engage the groove of the larger record. It will thus be seen that the mechanism is capable of automatically handling records of two diiferent sizes mixed in the stack on the turntable.

The mechanism illustrated in Fig. 11 is a variation of details of the mechanism of Figs. 3 and 4 which makes unnecessary the provision of switch I56 and eliminates the necessity for prolonged excitation of solenoid N38; The cam 23fl mounted on shaft 98 is arranged to move the pin 234 below the lifted lever Hill at the same period in the operation that switch 155 would normally be closed. Accordingly, even though solenoid 1108 would be deenergized by opening of switch IN, the arm MB could not drop to disengage the clutch until one revolution was completed and pin 234 dropped into depression 232. A one to one ratio of shafts 98 and H6 would be necessary if cam 230 were mounted on shaft 98. Of course it could be mounted on shaft H6, suitable connections beingmade to lever I00.

While there has been described primarily an automatic phonograph, there are various details constituting part of the invention which may be used in non-automatic phonographs, for example, the mounting arrangement of the tone arm illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6 wherein the tone arm is completely balanced and only suchpressure is exerted to cause the needle to contact with the record as is necessary for proper performance. Undue wearing of the record is thus avoided.

Another feature which is also illustrated in Figs. 5 andii and which is of general application is the pivotal mounting of the pick-up on the tone arm whereby the pick-up may be readily adjusted to facilitate a change of needles.

Heretofore diiferent types of stopping mechanisms have been provided in ordinary phonographs to stop their operation in the cases of the two types of records,'one of which has the spiral groove extending far into the center and the other of which depends upon oscillation of the tone arm in an inner eccentric groove to efiect stoppage. The switch arrangement illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8 will operate equally well under both types of operation, and the circuitclosed thereby, or mechanical connections may be utilized to stop the phonograph.

Another element of the mechanism to which particular reference may be made is the clutch arrangement, best shown in Fig. 3. Since it is undesirable to use a large amount of power to throw the clutch, it has been necessary to provide a clutch arrangement which, while positive, will be quite readily operated. The arrangement which is disclosed performs the desired function, since the lever IOU-is yieldingly urged through the medium of spring I04 so' as to snap into en-- gaging position as soon as the tooth carried by the element 92 passes the tooth carried by the element 9!.

While the phonograph has been described in a preferred form in which an electrical pick-up is used, it is obvious that the pick-up may be of the mechanical variety, the supporting arm being suitably formed to carry the sound waves to the usual sound box. Such arrangement would necessitate, of course, an arm of larger size and accordingly a different suitable type of pivotal mounting therefor.

What I claim anddesire to protect'by Letters v Patent is:

1. A phonograph incliiding a pin arranged at an angle to the vertical with its free and uppermost record for movement from the stack.

2. A phonograph including a pin arranged at an angle to the vertical with its free end uppermost, a turntable for supporting a plurality of records arranged in a stack for rotation about the axis of the pin, means yieldingly urging the turntable towards the free end of the pin, a member engaging the topmost record and cooperating with the turntable to clamp the stack of records, means for raising said member whereby the turntable may move the stack to locate the topmost record clear of the pin, means for then holding the turntable from further upward movement, and means for then further raising the member to release the topmost record for movement from thestack.

3. A phonograph including a pin arranged at an angle to the vertical with its free end uppermost, a turntable for supporting a plurality of records arranged in a stack for rotation about the axis of the pin, means yieldingly urging the turntable towards the free end of the pin, a member engaging the topmost record and cooperating with the turntable to clamp the stack of records. means for raising said member whereby the turntable may move the stack to locate the topmost record clear of the pin, means for then holding the turntable from further upward movement,

means for then further raising the member to release the topmost record for movement fromthe stack, and means operable to prevent raising of the member whereby the topmost record is restrained from discharge.

4. A phonograph including a turntable, a pivoted arm, a pickup unit mounted on the end of 5. A phonograph including a pin with its free end uppermost, a turntable for supporting a plurality of records arranged in a stack for rotation about the axis of the pin, means yieldlngly urging the turntable towards the free end of the pin, a member engaging the topmost record and cooperating with the turntable to clamp the stack of records, means for holding the turntable from upward movement, andmeans for raising the member while the turntable is so held to release the topmost record 'for movement from the stack. I

6. A phonograph including a pin with, its free end uppermost, a turntable for supporting a plurality of records arranged in a stack for rotation about the axis of the pin, means yieldingly urging the turntable towards the free end of the pin, a memberengaging the topmost record and cooperating with the turntable to clamp the stack of records, meansfor' holding the turntable from upward movement, and means for raising the member while the turntable is so held to release the topmost record for movement from the stack, and means operable to prevent raising of the member whereby the topmost record'is restrained from discharge.

7. A phonograph including a pin with its free end uppermost, a turntable for supporting a plurality of records arranged in a stack for rotation about the axis of the pin, a motor, connections between the turntable and motor whereby the turntable is driven continuously during operation of the motor, means yieldingly urging the 10 turntable towards the free end of the pin, a member engaging the topmost record and cooperating with the turntable to clamp the stack of records,

means for holding the turntable from upward movement, means for raising the member while the turntable is so held to release the topmost record for movement from the stack, and a clutch device for connection of the last named means to the motor for operation at the completion of the playing of a record.

8. A phonograph including a pin with its free end uppermost, a turntable for supporting a pmrality of records arranged in a stack for rotation about the axis of the pin, a motor, connections between the turntable and motor whereby the turntable is driven continuously during operation of the motor, means yieldingly urging the turntable towards the free end of the pin, a member engaging the topmost record and cooperating with the turntable to clamp the stack '30 of records, means for holding the turntable from upward movement, means for raising the member while the turntable is so held to release the topmost record for movement from the stack, and a clutch device for connection of the last named means to the motor for operation at the completion of the playing of a record, and means for manually controlling the clutch device during the playing of a record to actuate the last mentioned means. I

9. A phonograph including a pin with its free end uppermost, a turntable for supporting a plu rality of records arranged in a stack for rotation about the axis of the pin, a motor, connections between the turntable and motor whereby 45 the turntable is driven-continuously during operation of the motor, means yieldingly urging the turntable towards the free end of the pin, a member engaging the topmost record and cooperating with the turntable to clamp the stack of rec- 50 ords, means for holding the turntable from upward movement, means for raising the member while the turntable is so held to release the topmost record for movement from the stack, and a clutch device for connection of the last named 55 means to the motor for operation at the completion of the playing of a record, and a single revolution member adapted to disengage the clutch after each cycle of operation of said means.

10. A phonograph including a pin with its :free

aooaaco end uppermost, av turntable for supporting a plurality of records arranged in a stack for rotation about the axis of the pin, means yieldingly urging the turntable towards the free end of the pin, a member engaging the topmost record and cooperating with the turntable to clamp the stack of records, means for holding the turntable from upward movement, means for effecting removal of records from the turntable including means for raising the member while the turntable is so held to release the topmost record for movement from the stack, and devices whereby the means for effecting removal of records may be rendered inoperative without disturbing the normal rotation of the turntable during playing of a record.

11. A phonograph including a pin with its free end uppermost, a turntable for supporting a plurality of records arranged in a stack for rotation about the axis of the pin, means for moving the turntable towards the free end of the pm, a member engaging the topmost record and cooperating with the turntable to clamp the stack of records, and means for raising the member to release the topmost record for movement from the stack.

12. A phonograph including a pin with its free end uppermost, a turntable for supporting a plurality of records arranged in a stack for rotation about the axis of the pin, a motor, connections between the turntable and motor whereby theturntable is driven continuously during operation of the motor, means for moving the turntable towards the free end of the pin, a member engaging the topmost record and cooperating with the turntable to clamp the stack of records, and means for raising the member to release the topmost record for movement from the stack. and a clutch device for connection of the last named means to the motor for operation at the completion of the playing of a record.

13. A phonograph including a pin with its free end uppermost, a turntable for supporting a plurality of records arranged in a stack for rotation about the axis of the pin, a motor, connections between the turntable and motor whereby the turntable is driven continuously during operation of the motor, means for moving the turntable towards the free end of the pin, a member engaging the topmost record and cooperating with the turntable to clamp the stack of records, and means for raising the member to release the top most record for movement from the stack, and a clutch device for connection of the last named means to the motor for operation at the completion of the playing of a record, and a single revolution member adapted to disengage the clutch after each cycle of operation of said means.

GEORGE A. WHITE. 

